Health briefs for March 25, 2008

Tuesday

Mar 25, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Florida's Blood Centers are in need of all types of blood and have a critical need for O negative and O positive donors.
With vacations and annual events in full swing, Florida's temporary population swells and accidents multiply. To donate blood, you must be healthy, weigh at least 102 pounds and be 16 or older. The local Florida Blood Center is at 1051 S.W. First Ave., Ocala.
For more information, call 732-0175 or online at www.floridasbloodcenters.org.
PERSONAL SAFETY
The Marion County Sheriff's Office will offer "Prevention and Survival," a personal safety and self defense class, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Sheriff's Airport Annex, 1820 S.W. 60th Ave., Ocala. For more information and registration, call Cindy Irving at 352-368-3535 or by e-mail at cirving@marionso.com.
STROKE SCREENING
Life Line Screening will begin stroke and osteoporosis screenings at 9 a.m. Thursday at Silver Springs Shores Presbyterian Church, 674 Silver Road, Ocala.
Life Line Screening's Wellness Package for $149, includes a heart rhythm screening. All five screenings take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 888-754-1464 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.
HEARING HEALTH
The Ocala Community Cancer Center, 3201 S.W. 33rd Road, will host a presentation on "Hearing Health" with Ernest Walden at 3 p.m. Thursday. For more information or for a reservation, call 291-2495.
NO HURTING ZONE
The Marion County Children's Alliance needs volunteers for its third annual "Hands Are Not For Hurting" Expo to be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Paddock Mall, 3100 S.W. College Road, Ocala.
The event kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and includes interactive activities for children, live entertainment, vendor booths, a variety of exhibits geared towards reducing crime and abuse, clowns and free giveaways.
Volunteers receive a free T-shirt. To volunteer or for more information, contact Monica Bryant at 352-438-5993 or e-mail monica.bryant@marion.k12.fl.us.
CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE
The 20th Annual Early Childhood Conference, which is designed for parents and child-care providers of preschool children, will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Central Florida Community College's Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.
Registration is from 7:15 a.m. to 8 a.m. The all-day conference features 44 different workshops from which to choose. Painless parenting, safe sleeping practices, saving for children's college, incorporating Spanish into the classroom, how to turn physical activity into a learning process, and incorporating music into the learning process are among the many topics being presented.
The cost is $40. A box lunch will be available for $6.
Information about the conference is available on www.elc-marion.org.
For a registration form, call 352-369-2315.

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